It was a wet and miserable Sunday morning as Hall looked to continue their preseason friendlies with, what looked like on paper, strong opposition - Sunday premier side, Ryburn Valley. In the lead up to the game, finding a pitch had been a task in itself, however, Hall striker Gibson for once made himself useful by finding somewhere available. The pitch wasn’t marked out, there were no changing facilities or showers available, and most importantly, there was no corner flags! The ever reliable Hemblys did have some corner flags, but on this day his ageing memory got the better of him and they were left at home. As the game couldn’t possibly start without 4 poles sticking out of the ground on the four corners of the pitch Hemblys was sent on his merry way to retrieve said poles from his a home - a short 40minute round trip. Upon his return the game had indeed got underway resulting in, to date, ever present Hemblys being dropped to the bench and new singing Hildred promoted to the starting 11. Hall had opted to go with the now familiar 3-5-2 formation, which was proving successful. Coates, Cartlidge and Imrie made up that back 3, with Hildred joining Martin and, captain for the day, Smethurst in a midfield 3. Balika and Shepard doing the wing back role and a front two of the always disappointing Casey and Gibson. The bench made up of Hemblys, Henshaw and Walsh. Two of Halls faithful from last season - the two rubbish Suddal’s had decided that their career laid elsewhere and had officially moved to none other that today’s opponents! It won’t be long for Valley to realise that the younger Suddal will spend more time with a linesman’s flag in his hand than on the pitch, as he will become The equivelaint of Halls Phill ‘Sicknote’ Ogden. The game got underway and it didn’t take long for Striker Gibson to let J.Suddal know what he though of his decision to leave, a thundering tackle meant that the Valley player would have little input in the game as he worried about how other players may treat him. Hall had started brightly however, with impressive work from newbies Balika and Martin, and it was the latter that broke the deadlock - receiving a ball from Gibson on his was into the box, Martin arrowed a left foot effort into the bottom far corner, an effort the keeper could only wave at on its way past. As the game went on Hall continued to create chances with very little coming the other way, and with the Robinson between the sticks, Hall, unusually, looked confident at the back. (Robinson had also called time on his Hall career in the summer - for a second time in as many seasons. This time however it was for the chance to play in the big time, well Brighouse Town. After flirting with Bradshaw a week earlier, Robinson knew where his heart lie and returned to Hall to show how a goalkeeper should play). 25minutes in and the first change came, Hildred made way for Hemblys in a straight swap. It didn’t take long for Hemblys to say his hello to Valleys J.Suddal, leaving a couple of stud marks on his ankle. The game continued in a similar fashion, Hall looking the more dominant and more likely to score, even with Casey and Gibson upfront (beginning to sound like a terrible TV Detective series). 35 minutes in and the impressive Martin made way for ‘party sausage legs’ Walsh. Then the next breakthrough the ever dangerous Balika pulled one out of the bag. Running down the wing and turning back in on himself to deliver a cross/shot which looped into the far corner, questions were asked, was it shot? Did it get a deflection? One thing for sure Balika didn’t care, as he found his family in the crowd and dedicated that goal to them! Half time and Hall Looked comfortable and in control, with gaffer Williams asking for two more quick goals and then the fun can begin. Unfortunately the second half didn't start as planned, only a few minutes in and Valley had pulled one back, lifting their confidence and believing the Hall heads would drop. However Hall are made of sterner stuff, and it only took a couple of minutes for the two goal advantage to be restored. Hemblys rolled back the years, about 20 of them to be precise, as he run down the left wing beating three men which left him with a decision shoot or cross? not wanting to upstage Gibson anymore the decision to cross was made. A pinpoint ball to Gibson, who went on to make the worst of it but somehow managed to spin and put the ball under the keeper. A Flurry of substitutions then ensued, Cartlidge made way for Hildred, meaning gaffer Williams, unimpressed with Hemblys' surge forward, moved him into the back three with Coates and Imrie. Cartlidge then re-entered the fray a few minutes later in place of Scot, Imrie - who was loving the weather. Walsh came on for Casey. Hall had a couple of free kicks of note, one which was taken by 'keeper Robinson was fired into the wall and one by Gibson which ricocheted of the crossbar. On 75 minutes it was Hall that were next to trouble the scorer as good work from Balika left Hildred with an opportunity he couldn't miss.....and he didn't. Hall still had time to make more changes Casey and Henshaw replacing Jan and Jack. With time running down and a victory secure Valley managed to sneak a consolation, but it made little difference, the game petered out and Hall were the deserved victors. A man of the match performance from captain Smethhurst and other displays of note from Martin, Balika and Hildred mean Hall have a lot to hopeful for in the upcoming season.
